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      Floyd Mayweather heads out shopping with huge entourage and ’30 security guards’ as boxing legend is mobbed by fans

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      FLOYD MAYWEATHER was flanked by an army of security to stop him being mobbed by fans on a recent shopping trip.The undefeated boxing legend, 45, is known for lavish lifestyle after raking in millions from the sport. 
      Floyd Mayweather, wearing the Adidas hoody over his head, was mobbed while out shoppingCredit: Twitter@BoxingKingdom14
      The legend was flanked by a huge army of security guards in the mallCredit: Twitter@BoxingKingdom14
      And he was out again splashing the cash in Scottsdale, Arizona.
      As ever, despite having his head covered by an Adidas hoodie, the superstar did not go unnoticed.
      One stunned shopper filmed Mayweather in the mall being led forward by a wall of security guards, with a huge entourage in tow, as a hoard of his supporters followed him.
      Meanwhile, Mayweather is set for his first fight in the UK as he takes on Aaron Chalmers NEXT WEEK.
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      Former five-weight world champion Mayweather will be back in action on February 25 in an exhibition fight with the Geordie Shore-turned-MMA star at London’s O2.
      Mayweather was last in action at the end of 2022 when he stopped KSI’s brother Deji in the sixth round of their fight.
      The 50-0 boxing icon also beat Mikuru Asakura and Don Moore in exhibition fights last year.
      Chalmers, best known for his stint on reality TV show Geordie Shore, has turned his hand to combat sports in recent years.
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      Having won a few MMA bouts, most notably with Bellator, Chalmers launched his boxing career last year, winning on points.
      But a clash against one of the greatest fighters of all time in Mayweather represents an entirely different task.
      However, boxing fans have been left outraged after the record cost to buy the exhibition bout on pay-per-view was announced.
      Floyd Mayweather will face Aaron Chalmers next week at The O2 More

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      Tyson Fury told to fight released UFC heavyweight instead of Francis Ngannou by Nate Diaz in his new promotion

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      TYSON FURY has been told to fight a former UFC heavyweight by Nate Diaz.The Gypsy King, 34, could be tempted with another venture away from boxing if the unification bout with Oleksandr Usyk cannot get finalised.
      Tyson Fury could fight under MMA rules if his showdown with Oleksandr Usyk crashesCredit: Getty
      And a hybrid fight against Francis Ngannou appeared to be on the cards following the Cameroonian’s UFC contract expired.
      But now Diaz, who has launched his own promotion Real Fight Inc, wants to see Fury take on a different MMA star.
      The 37-year-old Californian tweeted: “Ben Rothwell vs Tyson Fury,” followed by a fist emoji and the Real Fight Twitter handle.
      Rothwell, 41, is a 6ft 4ins 120kg heavyweight who won 39 of his 53 professional MMA bouts – appearing 17 times on UFC cards.
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      His most-recent fight was a round-one TKO defeat to Marcos Rogerio de Lima in November 2021.
      But Diaz would like to see his fellow American fight Fury.
      However, fans on Twitter were completely underwhelmed by the suggestion with various memes and gifs expressing their confusion.
      Instead most supporters want Fury to take on Usyk – and Ngannou if that cannot be arranged.
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      Ngannou seemed willing to agree to Fury’s strange rules for their potential battle with 4oz gloves and Mike Tyson refereeing.
      The Usyk showdown, though, would be the main attraction with all the world titles on the line.
      Talks remain ongoing between the two camps but with Saudi Arabia struggling to secure the hosting rights, it could take place at Wembley on April 29.
      Ben Rothwell was put forward as a shock suggestion to fight FuryCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Nate Diaz’s suggestion did not go down well on TwitterCredit: Getty More

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      Jake Paul says Nate Diaz could ‘definitely’ be his first MMA opponent after talks for two-fight deal with ex-UFC star

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      JAKE PAUL said Nate Diaz could “definitely” be his first MMA opponent after talks for a two-fight deal with the ex-UFC star. Paul has signed with the UFC’s competitor the Professional Fighters League to both promote and compete.
      Jake Paul has offered Nate Diaz a two-fight boxing and MMA dealCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      Nate Diaz has left the UFCCredit: Getty
      Upon the initial announcement, the YouTuber-turned 6-0 boxer revealed he offered Diaz a two-fight deal for a boxing and MMA bout.
      It leaves the former UFC favourite as a frontrunner to welcome Paul to the cage as talks continue.
      Paul told the Daily Mail: “We offered a two-fight deal to Nate Diaz, one for boxing and one for MMA.
      “That could definitely happen and he could definitely be my first MMA opponent, 100 per cent.
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      “It would be diving into the deep end but, for some reason, I just feel as if I’m going to be really good at MMA.
      “I have the wrestling background, I have the better boxing than all of them, so I’ve really just got to learn the kicks and the takedown defence.”
      Paul, 26, first returns to the ring on February 26 Saudi Arabia in the hope of finally fighting Tommy Fury, 23.
      Fury has twice pulled out of the celebrity boxing bout before due to a rib injury and US visa issue.
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      But they look to settle their score in the Diriyah desert with bragging rights, reputations and unbeaten records on the line.
      Ex-UFC welterweight and now bare-knuckle boxer Mike Perry, 31, is the man on standby in case lightning strikes again.
      And SunSport understands a two-fight MMA and boxing deal has also been proposed for Paul and Perry.
      Mike Perry is on standby for Jake Paul’s next fightCredit: GETTY More

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      Conor McGregor to hold talks with Eddie Hearn at his Dublin pub to secure £500,000 to host Katie Taylor fight in Ireland

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      CONOR McGREGOR is set to hold talks in his pub with Eddie Hearn in a bid to secure Katie Taylor’s next fight at Croke Park. Taylor is set to headline in Ireland for the first time in her career in a rematch on May 20 against Amanda Serrano.
      Conor McGregor is set for talks with Eddie Hearn over Katie Taylor’s next fightCredit: Instagram
      Amanda Serrano and Katie Taylor are set to rematch on May 20Credit: Sportsfile
      Hearn eyed the 80,000-plus seater Croke Park for the historic occasion but revealed it would cost three times that of Wembley.
      So UFC legend McGregor offered to help fund the extra £500,000 fees and will meet with Taylor’s promoter at his Black Forge pub in Dublin on Monday.
      Hearn said: “I spoke to him a few times and I will be flying out to see him on Monday at the Black Forge.
      “We have been communicating on Twitter messages. I noticed he followed me on Twitter and I saw his tweet that he wants to make Taylor’s Croke Park fight happen.
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      “He loves Katie Taylor and he would love to help get it at Croke Park.
      “I haven’t given up but there is probably a €600,000-£700,000 deficit of where we need to be. Maybe he can fill that.
      “But it’s not a publicity stunt, I think he feels like it would be cool to be a part of that.”
      Boxing is set to return to Ireland for the first time since 2014 with the 3Arena the frontrunner to host.
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      Taylor, 36, beat Serrano, 34, in their New York thriller at Madison Square Garden last April, for the undisputed lightweight crown.
      Serrano moved back down to featherweight to achieve the same feat, beating Erika Cruz, 32, for all four belts.
      And it set her up with a rematch against Taylor – both as undisputed champions – which was announced after her win over Cruz.
      But the cost of paying the pair of boxing stars means Hearn may be forced into an arena fight opposed to Croke Park stadium, for now.
      I spoke to him a few times and I will be flying out to see him on Monday at the Black Forge.Eddie Hearn on Conor McGregor
      He said: “It’s not just a case of Katie deserves it, pay it.
      “Because Katie Taylor deserves to get paid and she has a number that she wants to get paid for that fight and so does Amanda Serrano.
      “If we do it at Croke Park, we lose money. I’m not doing it. I’m not losing money on a fight like that.
      “So what I’m talking to Conor about is potentially bridging that gap but more importantly looking at why the costs are so high, can we overcome them in May, or can we all work together to do the first fight at the 3Arena, and then a September fight at Croke Park.
      “Whether that’s Taylor-Serrano 3 or more than likely Chantelle Cameron.
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      “Our date is May 20 which is immovable because it’s built around the DAZN schedule.
      “So maybe that is at the 3Arena then in September we go to Croke Park.” 
      Katie Taylor beat Amanda Serrano in their MSG thriller More

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      ‘I’m serious about that’ – Deontay Wilder calls out ex-UFC champ Francis Ngannou to two-fight boxing and MMA deal

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      DEONTAY WILDER said he is serious about a two-fight boxing and MMA deal with Francis Ngannou. Ngannou is a free agent after leaving the UFC following a breakdown in contract talks.
      Deontay Wilder is serious about a two-fight boxing and MMA deal with Francis NgannouCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Francis Ngannou has left the UFCCredit: Getty
      It has paved the way for him to make a dream move into boxing, where the likes of Tyson Fury, 34, and Anthony Joshua, 33, await.
      But Wilder, 37, is ready to go one step further and face Ngannou, 36, in both the ring and cage.
      He told Trill Boxing Talk: “I’m very interested in it. I even thought about this idea, though, I was like; all right, let’s make it a two-fight deal.
      “Everybody always comes to boxing, but let’s do this: You come to my s***, I come to yours. You know what I’m saying? You feel me?
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      “I’ll do it up. You come to my house, I come to yours. A true tea party. I’m a true warrior.”
      Fury and Ngannou have both flirted with a hybrid-rules bout, under boxing rules but in a cage with smaller 4oz gloves.
      But Wilder is ready to rip up the script and become one of few boxers to enter the world of MMA.
      He said: “I’m serious about that. That’s something I thought about even from the first spark of the idea. I want to do something different.
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      “Since everybody always be crossing between combat sports, and the MMA guys always come to boxing, of course, they ain’t got no stand-up game as far as boxing is concerned.
      “So it’s always going to be favoured on the boxer’s side, because you’re in our territory. It’s just like being in the water with sharks, with a shark.”
      Boxing legend James Toney was among the few to cross codes but was beaten by ex-UFC champion Randy Couture in three minutes of their 2010 fight.
      Wilder briefly met Ngannou last year when he was using the UFC’s state of the art training facilities.
      He revealed: “I love Francis. When I met him at the Apex in Vegas, they was talking about doing it that time.
      “I’m still interested in that fight. I would love to go to Africa for that. I would love to do that in Africa.”
      Deontay Wilder pictured with Francis Ngannou More

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      ‘Do it now!’ – Jake Paul urged to SCRAP Tommy Fury fight and box UFC legend instead

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      JAKE PAUL has been urged to pull the plug on his grudge match with Tommy Fury after the Brit’s press conference no-show.The social media stars are set to end their near two-year feud in a Saudi showdown at the end of the month.
      Jake Paul and Tommy Fury are set to throw down at the end of the monthCredit: GETTY
      Former Love Island star Tommy snubbed the pair’s Saudi presser on WednesdayCredit: GETTY
      Back-up Mike Perry has urged Paul to pull Fury out and fight himCredit: GETTY
      Paul and Fury, 26 and 23 respectively, were due to face off in a press conference on Wednesday but the latter didn’t show up.
      And back-up opponent Mike Perry believes Paul should sub him in for the unreliable former Love Island star.
      During an appearance on The MMA Hour, Platinum said: “They’ve got to kick Tommy Fury, and they’ve got to do it now.
      “They cannot wait until the last minute. They cannot wait until the weigh-ins. They can’t let Fury keep calling all the shots.
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      “What he did to them is [irredeemable]. But nope, he gets another $2million, and he gets to go to an even nicer location. It’s really weird.
      “But at some point, they have to take control if they want to be respected, and it’s a hard thing that MVP’s [Most Valuable Promotions] had. MVP is new and boy have they had to pay for an education.
      “They’ve gotten a rougher go of anyone else ever, but at some point they have to make it clear that they are in charge.
      “And today when he skipped the press conference, his second time, you cut him, you bring Perry in, and that is it.
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      “It’s a mistake that MVP is making… I would have done it an hour ago.
      “They get to the press conference, and he’s not there, and the world’s watching, that’s when you make the reveal.
      “That’s when you bring in Mike Perry, to try and bring it in after.
      “They’re in a little bit more difficult spot. But they had to see that coming. He’s already done it to them once.
      “They had to see, ‘Hey, there’s a slight possibility that when we get here he’s not here.’
      “Somewhere he missed his flight, somewhere he didn’t check into the hotel room.
      “They should have had a word and had enough time to scramble, and had Mike Perry there. They should have moved on with it.”
      Paul was seething with Fury’s no-show but was hardly surprised he skipped the presser.
      He said: “I’m used to his behaviour at this point, he’s unprofessional and he’s a flake.

      🥊 How to watch Jake Paul vs Tommy Fury: Date, UK start time, live stream, TV channel
      “He’s not a serious businessman or a serious fighter and I’m going to prove that.
      “It’s why this fight is called, ‘The Truth’ because the truth is going to come out.
      “He’s going to have to pay for all of the times he’s pulled out. All the business people he screwed over, it’s disrespectful.
      “There’s some of the biggest names in boxing, the biggest promoters and the most influential people in the world.
      “One of the greatest countries in the world and he doesn’t want to show up because of a ‘private matter’. We all have private matters.
      “When you sign up to do something, you make a commitment, that’s what it should be about.
      “It just shows me he’s scared because he said he didn’t need to train for this fight.
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      “Meanwhile, his first excuse was that he needed to train extra, but now it’s a private matter.
      “I love Tyson but it’s typical from the dad [John] and Tommy.” More

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      Ex-UFC star Paige VanZant says she earns TEN TIMES more from BKFC than UFC as she breaks down pay row with Dana White

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      PAIGE VANZANT has claimed Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship pays her TEN times more than what she earned in the UFC.The former UFC strawweight shocked the combat sports world last in 2020 by penning a multi-fight, multi-million-pound contract with BKFC.
      Paige VanZant says her contract with BKFC earns her ten times what she made in the UFCCredit: GETTY
      VanZant has lost her first two fights – first against Britain Hart in 2021 and then against Rachael Ostovich months later – both by unanimous decision.
      Speaking after the fiery weigh-ins for Bare Knuckle FC’s KnuckleMania before that Hart fight, the American Top Team star: “I’m here for a reason.
      “I was in the UFC for six years getting paid $40,000 (to show) and $40,000 (to win), and now I’m getting ten times that doing what I love.
      “So obviously, I’m not going anywhere. I’m very happy fighting here and I’m excited to fight.”
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      Before her final UFC fight with Amanda Ribas, which she lost via first-round submission, VanZant claimed she made more money on Instagram than she did fighting in the octagon.
      That drew the ire of UFC chief Dana White, who fired a parting shot at her during the UFC 251 post-fight press conference.
      He said: “When you talk all that stuff, ‘I’m not being paid enough,’ and you’re fighting inconsistently, one time in the last year, (suffering) injuries, and then got smoked in the first round of the fight?
      “She should definitely test free agency.”
      Paige VanZant suffered a submission loss to Amanda Ribas at UFC 251Credit: Getty
      Paige VanZant trains at American Top TeamCredit: Instagram @paigevanzant
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      Despite being tied down to a long-term deal with BKFC, VanZant hasn’t completely closed the door on a return to mixed martial arts.
      She told TMZ: “BKFC, they did give me the liberty in my contract to be able to take an MMA fight.
      “I was informed of that by my manager, and I didn’t know that at first. At first, I was like, ‘No, I just want to do the boxing.’
      “But I think that coming to American Top Team, it re-birthed my excitement and I now realise how good I am.
      “I’m training with these coaches who believe in me. Having them say they believe in me, and they train some of the best fighters in the entire world, and they look at me and they believe that I’m good.
      “So that kinda sparked that passion all over the place. So yeah, maybe I will take an MMA fight.
      “I’m strictly focused on the boxing right now, especially for this fight. That’s all I do. But, maybe. Let’s see. The door is open, so it’s definitely there.” More

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      ‘Fanboy’ – Jake Paul brutally mocked for copying Conor McGregor as he posts snap of himself jogging in place as UFC star

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      JAKE PAUL has been mocked by fight fans for replicating a Conor McGregor training picture.The YouTuber turned boxer has been gearing up for his Saudi showdown with Tommy Fury later this month in nearby Dubai.
      Jake Paul is gearing up for his Saudi showdown with Tommy FuryCredit: MOST VALUABLE PROMOTIONS
      The Problem Child has been keeping his fans up to date with his training in DubaiCredit: TWITTER@JAKEPAUL
      But his followers were quick to release he copied a recent training snap of Conor McGregor’sCredit: INSTAGRAM@THENOTORIOUSMMA
      Paul has been making the most of the picturesque running locations in the United Arab Emirates ahead of the grudge match – which has been nearly two years in the making.
      But his legion of followers noticed he took the opportunity to take a photo of himself running in the exact same spot as UFC superstar McGregor.
      Paul, 26, posted a snap of himself jogging the same route as The Notorious to his Twitter and Instagram profiles, writing in the caption: “19 days. Sunday, February 26th.”
      Fans were quick to comment, with one saying: “Conor did it first.”
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      Another said: “Acting like Conor again.”
      And another said: “Conor McGregor’s biggest fan.”
      One remarked: “Fanboy! The man was a fanboy. He bought t-shirts of mine”
      Another chimed in: “Considering he hates Conor McGregor, he wants to be him so bad.”
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      Social media sensation Paul was in Saudi on Wednesday to take part in a press conference to promote his clash with Fury – who no-showed for the event.
      An irate Paul said: “I’m used to his behaviour at this point, he’s unprofessional and he’s a flake.
      “He’s not a serious businessman or a serious fighter and I’m going to prove that.
      “It’s why this fight is called, ‘The Truth’ because the truth is going to come out.
      “He’s going to have to pay for all of the times he’s pulled out.
      “All the business people he screwed over, it’s disrespectful.
      “There’s some of the biggest names in boxing, the biggest promoters and the most influential people in the world.

      🥊 How to watch Jake Paul vs Tommy Fury: Date, UK start time, live stream, TV channel
      “One of the greatest countries in the world and he doesn’t want to show up because of a ‘private matter’.
      “We all have private matters.
      “When you sign up to do something, you make a commitment, that’s what it should be about.
      “It just shows me he’s scared because he said he didn’t need to train for this fight.
      “Meanwhile, his first excuse was that he needed to train extra, but now it’s a private matter.
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      “I love Tyson but it’s typical from the dad [John] and Tommy.”
      UFC superstar McGregor, meanwhile, is gearing up to make his long-awaited return to the octagon against Michael Chandler later this year. More